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was equally descriptive of its anxious delicacy. For the world would not she have seemed to threaten me.⁠—Imagine the shock; imagine how, till I had actually detected my own blunder, I raved at the blunders of the post.⁠—What was to be done?⁠—One thing only.⁠—I must speak to my uncle. Without his sanction I could not hope to be listened to again.⁠—I spoke; circumstances were in my favour; the late event had softened away his pride, and he was, earlier than I could have anticipated, wholly reconciled and complying; and could say at last, poor man! with a deep sigh, that he wished I might find as much happiness in the marriage state as he had done.⁠—I felt that it would be of a different sort.⁠—Are you disposed to pity me for what I must have suffered in opening the cause to him, for my suspense while all was at stake?⁠—No; do not pity me till I reached Highbury, and saw how ill I had made her. Do not pity me till I saw her wan, sick looks.⁠—I reached Highbury at the time of day when, from my knowledge of their late breakfast hour, I was certain of a good chance of finding her alone.⁠—I was not disappointed; and at last I was not disappointed either in the object of my journey. A great deal of very reasonable, very just displeasure I had to persuade away. But it is done; we are reconciled, dearer, much dearer, than ever, and no moment’s uneasiness can ever occur between us again. Now, my dear madam, I will release you; but I could not conclude before. A thousand and a thousand thanks for all the kindness you have ever shown me, and ten thousand for the attentions your heart will dictate towards her.⁠—If you think me in a way to be happier than I deserve, I am quite of your opinion.⁠—Miss W. calls me the child of good fortune. I hope she is right.⁠—In one respect, my